Previously if you have wanted to work with Word, Excel or PowerPoint on your iPad you have had to either invest in an iOS office suite or use a VPN tool to tap into your computer to edit them there. Now CloudOn makes it possible to create, view and edit Microsoft Office documents without the need to compromise. CloudOn is like having a copy of Office installed on your iPad making it ideal for anyone who needs to work on the move.

The cloud-based nature of the app means that in order to use it you need to be in range of a network or internet connection. While this is less of an issue for owners of 3G iPads, for anyone using a wifi only tablet will find that they are more limited in where they can work with their files. The files you create are stored in your Dropbox account which means that you will be able to access them from any other computer with an internet connection.

CloudOn does not provide you with a fully functional copy of Office on your iPad, but you gain access to a wide range of tools and options. Text and data entry can be carried out just as you would expect and you can check and correct spelling, make and review changes to files, and add comments. It is also possible to work with formulae in Excel, and view and edit transitions and animations in PowerPoint presentations.

There are some limitations to the app – such as a lack of PDF support in PowerPoint – and the slightly tiring nature of typing for long periods of time on a tablet means that this is unlikely to become your main office suite, but it is a handy tool to have installed for those occasions when you might need it.

Verdict:

This is the closest thing we have to an Pad version of Office, and it’s a great tool for anyone who wants to work on their tablet.

Spotlight: Free Full Software

The program makes it easy to create simple data discs and audio CDs, for instance: just drag and drop your files onto the list area and you'll be burning the finished disc in a couple of clicks.

That's just the start, though. Burning Studio 2013 can also create data discs with customised, interactive multi-page menus, perfect if you'd like a more professional way to share and present the disc contents.

A built-in backup tool allows you to create backups which may be encrypted, compressed, and span several CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays.

The focus throughout is on ease of use, though, and so Ashampoo Burning Studio 2013 remains very straightforward, whatever you're doing. Most disc projects are created via the same simple interface, and for the most part all you have to do is drag and drop the necessary files. But experts will find more advanced options are only a click away, and if you need to then you can set ISO and UDF version, enable Joliet, make a disc bootable and more.

Note the download here will take you to the Downloadcrew Software Store where you can download Burning Studio 2013.